Pore structure development in oxidized IG-110 nuclear graphite

The oxidation-induced porosity development in nuclear graphite has great effect on its mechanical behavior, thus it is very important to understand the pore structure development of nuclear graphite during oxidation. This paper reports on the oxidation kinetics of grade IG-110 nuclear graphite and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nuclear materials 2012-11, Vol.430 (1-3), p.229-238
Main Authors: Wang, Peng, Contescu, Cristian I., Yu, Suyuan, Burchell, Timothy D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
BINDERS
Collapse
Controled nuclear fusion plants
Density
DISTRIBUTION
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Fission nuclear power plants
Fuels
GRAPHITE
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
KINETICS
MATERIALS SCIENCE
Nuclear fuels
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
Oxidants
OXIDATION
OXIDIZERS
PORE STRUCTURE
POROSITY
Statistical analysis
Statistical methods
THICKNESS
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Summary:The oxidation-induced porosity development in nuclear graphite has great effect on its mechanical behavior, thus it is very important to understand the pore structure development of nuclear graphite during oxidation. This paper reports on the oxidation kinetics of grade IG-110 nuclear graphite and the porosity development in oxidized samples. The distribution of the oxidized layer in IG-110 specimens oxidized at 600–750°C was studied using optical microscopy coupled with automated image analysis technique, and the mechanism of porosity development was determined. The thickness of oxidized layer decreased with the oxidation temperature but was independent of the weight loss level. Oxidation caused consumption of graphite structure and development of porosity, which was initiated from the binder phase. Statistical analysis indicated that generation and growth of pores was dominant at low temperatures, while merging and collapse of pores was the main effect at high temperatures. Compared with medium-grained PCEA graphite, the fine-grained IG-110 graphite demonstrates deeper penetration of the oxidant because of its higher pore density and greater porosity.
ISSN:0022-3115
1873-4820
DOI:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2012.07.015